From the moment we stepped into the breezy open-air vibe of the Hyatt Regency, Maui, I knew our long-awaited spring break vacation was going to be an extra special one. It has a sort of an indoor/outdoor vibe with breathtakingly tall palm trees standing right in the middle of the lobby, making your neck immediately bend back as you enter the grand doors.
The girls were overjoyed as we got our pretty bright orchid lays upon check in and they ran around in giant circles, trying to see every bit of this nature covered hotel in their first minutes there. For the first time in a long time we would be traveling with my parents, so this trip was a full family affair. Hawaii, Maui specifically is truly my happy place. This would be time number 8 in Hawaii for me, and I was overjoyed to finally be able to share it with my parents. We rode up to our room and I was in full swoon mode. We had the corner suite, so every room had an ocean view balcony. I just kept walking from one to the other, trying to fully take in the beautiful ocean air. “Please make time stop” I thought, or at least make it go in slow motion for the next 6 days.
From there our days were full and loud and sunny and full of adventure. I wanted to share some of our favorites!
MAUI TRAVEL GUIDE: BEST ACTIVITIES WITH KIDS
Tour of the Stars – Bed time routine set aside for the night, we took the elevator to the roof of the hotel around 9pm. The girls felt SO special to get to do a big girl activity. We sat under the stars with cozy blankets on and listened to our star tour guide talk about different constellations and giving a few fun facts on certain special stars. Then it was our turn to explore the sky and I was blown away by the NASA looking gigantic telescopes that stood in a circle in the middle of our gathering. {You can make a reservation for this activity by calling the hotel consierge at 808-667-4272}
Wild Life Tour – This was the activity I had been looking forward to the most and it was even better than what I was expecting. We got to see and feed the penguins, meet and even hold some of the parrots (which was the biggest highlight for the girls!) We also fed the numerous ducks and swans on the property and I couldn’t stop laughing as Charlie would squeeze and run away from the “big giant swan bird!!” as she called them. The only shy animals were the flamingos. Eric cracked me up, trying so hard to get them to care about our picture taking as they would turn and run every time the girls got too close to them. {this activity is open to the public. Note the feeding times for the different animals throughout the day, by contacting the hotel’s concierge}
Lei Making Class – I wasn’t sure this activity would work well for Charlie, who is 4, and thought ‘oh well we’ll bring her and hopefully she’ll be happy just watching us make the leis’. To my great surprise (apparently, I’m not an expert at lei needles) this is an activity even a younger child can happily participate in. The needle is blunt and quite thick, so it is completely safe for their little fingers. In fact, my Charlie girl shocked me to the fullest and finished her lei before any of us. That little face full of concentration! Can’t even handle it!
MAUI TRAVEL GUIDE: BEST ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE OUR HOTEL
Snorkeling Tour with Teralani – This is an activity we have done every year since taking our first trip to Maui. It is such a fun day and I loved bringing the girls along this time. I(’d say 3 years and older are good for this activity) We sailed out around 10am and caught a ton of whales while heading to the snorkel spot. This is very rare and was the only time I have ever seen whales on this level. I mean we’re talking “Planet Earth” status! We happened to be lucky with the timing, so if you’re planning a trip definitely look into when is the best time of the year, if you love whale watching.
We got to our snorkel destination and the crew started barbecuing lunch while all the guests got around an hour to explore and snorkel. I spent half of that time helping Charlie decide if she hated the idea of it or loved it, while Eric swam around us with Grace, happy as a clam, next to him like a little whale calf. This day activity is my favorite because you pretty much get the entire day on the boat, lounging, eating, living your best life in the sun. I really could not recommend it highly enough!
Luau – the ironic thing about going to the Luau is that every night, we would hear it and see it happening from our balcony. Charlie’s mind was blown by the fire dancers and after the second night it became her thing to run into the room once she heard the music starting up and scream, “It’s Moana time!!!!” This meant I’d better hurry up and get her dressed in all her Moana glory so she could run back onto the balcony and proceed to shaking her little booty along with the hula dancers for the next hour. This has got to be one of my favorite memories from the whole trip! So, a little pro tip, if you book the Hyatt Regency Maui, try requesting a room that faces the Luau. Your kiddos will thank you.
The ironic part was by the time we went to an actual luau (at a different hotel) which we had gotten tickets for before booking this hotel (whoops!), Charlie felt like she was cheating on her beloved Hyatt Luau and was visibly giving it the side eye most of the night. That is until there was a break in the show, midway through, and she had gotten up on the stage and did a full hula dance, all by herself complete with a bow at the end, followed by cheers from the crowd. My little wall flower.
MAUI TRAVEL GUIDE: BEST DINING & TREATS
In Room Breakfast -this was such a treat and beyond beautiful. Especially if you are traveling with a group, I highly recommend doing an in-room breakfast one day. The service was amazing and all the food (especially the fruit) is so fresh, it’s like a Chiquita banana commercial.
Star Noodle – we went here literally straight from the airport, because it is THAT good. After trying Star Noodle for the first time during our last trip, it’s been at the top of our Maui list for the next one. Do make a lunch reservation if you have more than 2 people in your group because it does fill up very fast after opening. Super fresh poke, amazing ramen, and the most delicious desserts.
Japengo – hands down my favorite dinner from the whole week. I mean just this table outside overlooking the pools and ocean is a dream, but this was some of the best rolls this sushi foodie has ever had. Even if you are not staying at the Hyatt, Japengo is a must. Would be great for a date night! Watching the sun set here during dinner was just the most romantic setting. The cocktails are also killer!
Monkey Pod – great lunch spot in Whaler’s Village. Their matai’s are famously good, and I loved the indoor/outdoor feel here. Really great for big groups too and since you are inside Whaler’s, you can make a whole afternoon of this trip with shopping, grabbing ice cream and letting your kiddos play in the little playground in the middle of the village space.
Frida’s Beach House – Eric and I snuck away one night for a date night and came here. We loved Frida’s so much for dinner, that we wanted to bring my parents back, on our way to the airport on the way home. Aside from being sad that our vacation was coming to an end, we could not get enough of the food and ambiance here. The margaritas are amazing, but the tuna carpaccio stole my heart. If you do a date night here, request a table by the ocean. We waited for one and it was so worth the wait. You are literally right next to the waves, watching the sun set as you dine. Ah, the best!! Take me back!
Ululani’s Shave Ice – we took the girls here several times during the week when they earned their ‘good girl points’. Shave Ice is of course huge in Maui but we loved Ululani’s because it was on our walk to and from the hotel and more importantly because they had an option to add a scoop of macadamia nut ice cream under your shaved ice, which was heaven!
It was SO fun looking back on this trip. I just wish it was longer! Is it too early to book next year’s spring break?? Asking for a friend.
